I need the truth about chicken noise - ASAP

[i<3mychickens]

my huge shilo shepard tries to play with my chickens which frightens them and causes them to squawk and cluck. But my other dogs that are the size of my chickens are scared of them

. Even the local deer have made friends with them.

 

[BethESH]

Hi there -

Anyone who knows me knows that I have very strong opinions, although I'm very laid back about most things. I'd like to share another way of looking at this situation...and I vote YES! on getting your chickies.

You wrote:
Quote:
I am probably the biggest animal lover on the planet...the only things I don't mind killing are slugs and mosquitoes! My mother is the one who instilled this love of animals in me.

My mom was one of the most outgoing, extroverted, positive, strong women I've ever known. Then she got cancer...not just stage 3c ovarian, but - once we found out she was in remission for that - she had bladder cancer. In the almost 4 years since she went through the surgeries and chemo, she's changed drastically...

My mother is now housebound. She lives in a third floor walk-up condo. She doesn't have a car. She has someone coming to walk her dog, clean her place, deliver her groceries and bring her the mail. Her dog, Bear, is her only companion and - as much as I hate to say it - her reason for still getting up in the morning. (Bear barks at cars and other dogs outside - more of a greeting than a warning...his "attack" mode is to slobber kisses all over your face...YICK!)

I'd suggest that - although the situation is different - perhaps if you could see that your neighbor is a lonely individual whose dog is her best friend you'd be able to handle its noisy (read "obnoxious" here) nature better. We all need to have someone to share our lives with.

Having said that, you may very well end up having a neighbor who loves your chicks and her dog may end up having something more interesting to watch than his boring person.

Keep your chin up, get your chickies and ENJOY! (I'm a newbie to this too - and I look forward to my daily chicken time!)

Stepping off the soapbox...go ahead and throw the rotten veggies at me!

 

[kelidei]

Just my two cents--- I would just go ahead as well---as long as you have the legal right and do what you can to manage the noise(with three that won't be difficult) I have 26 and 2 of them are roos. The roos have good days and bad. Our neighbors haven't complained so far. The ones closest to us--- we have offered them eggs. I live in an area that is semi-rural meaning among the residential properties there are those of us who are still zoned agricultural. I just do the best I can to be a good neighbor. We let them pick our raspberries and currants and DH offers to plow their drive and mow their lawn--- so far they have refused but he keeps offering as a way of keeping communication open. Noise from the hens (all 24), in my opinion, is less than the constant road noise and the dogs and kids in the neighborhood.

As far as the dog is concerned. That was one of my biggest worries because we have a shepherd/retriever mix and a pit bull /boxer mix. I wasn't so worried about them getting to the chickens--- dh has turned the coop and the run into a mini-fort knox--- nothing is getting in there! But I was afraid the chickens and dogs would drive each other into a frenzy. At first we sat with the dogs in front of the run and held them if they started to get worked up they had to in the house--- if they sat quietly or ignored the chickens they could stay out with us. Now a few months later the dogs largely ignore the chickens--- and they never even bark at them. The only time the get loud or anxious is if me or dh go inside the run or coop--- I think they are worried because they can't get to us to protect us from those evil chickens!!!

OHHH! BTW--- don't get cornish or andalusians--- they ARE noisier then all my others put together--- it is true some chicken breeds are less noisy than others

 

[boxermom]

Quote:
I am probably the biggest animal lover on the planet...the only things I don't mind killing are slugs and mosquitoes! My mother is the one who instilled this love of animals in me.

My mom was one of the most outgoing, extroverted, positive, strong women I've ever known. Then she got cancer...not just stage 3c ovarian, but - once we found out she was in remission for that - she had bladder cancer. In the almost 4 years since she went through the surgeries and chemo, she's changed drastically...

My mother is now housebound. She lives in a third floor walk-up condo. She doesn't have a car. She has someone coming to walk her dog, clean her place, deliver her groceries and bring her the mail. Her dog, Bear, is her only companion and - as much as I hate to say it - her reason for still getting up in the morning. (Bear barks at cars and other dogs outside - more of a greeting than a warning...his "attack" mode is to slobber kisses all over your face...YICK!)

I'd suggest that - although the situation is different - perhaps if you could see that your neighbor is a lonely individual whose dog is her best friend you'd be able to handle its noisy (read "obnoxious" here) nature better. We all need to have someone to share our lives with.

Having said that, you may very well end up having a neighbor who loves your chicks and her dog may end up having something more interesting to watch than his boring person.

Keep your chin up, get your chickies and ENJOY! (I'm a newbie to this too - and I look forward to my daily chicken time!)

Stepping off the soapbox...go ahead and throw the rotten veggies at me!

No veggies here. Very well put.

 

[LA~Poulet]

Hens are NOT loud. Our small laying flock lets out a few (really, probably less than 5) loud cackles a day, usually when they lay an egg. By loud cackle, I mean louder than a soft cluck and could be heard next door, if you were outside. Not really 'loud'. Definitely quieter than a small dog's bark.

I wouldn't worry about it one bit... if you are just getting three hens, chances are your neighbors will never hear them, in my opinion. I think you are being more than considerate to someone who has a noisy dog... I have (and love) dogs too, but a hen's noise is nowhere near as loud as a bark, or a cat's caterwaul, or the engine of a car, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

my parents have a neighbor who complained a few years ago about another who had a backyard flock of very tiny bantams. i never knew they were there until i heard a tiny crow from one of the young cockerels.

because this lady was 'in' with those in the city she got them removed. now that lady is starting to complain about the local tree frogs that have been coming to the small ponds i put in my parents backyard over 13 years ago. (their population really grew over that time!)

she always has something to complain about when it disturbs her! she's checking for permits when you try and dig a hole or do any type of fixing on your home. she's a busybody that will never be satisfied with what others do unless it has been ok'd by her first. (and NOTHING is ok with her!)

i currently have one very noisy hen (bantam cochin) who has been singing lately at the top of her tiny lungs. but the coop is at the back end of my 1/2 acre yard so my neighbors don't have to hear much of it going on during the daytime. and she doesn't sing at night. i don't hear her till i've left the coop after opening their door for the day at 6:30am.

i have yet to have any issues with anyone's dogs becoming noisier just because of my girls. and only one neighbor had complained about a roo i had for a week, but they talked to me about it and he was gone the next day. (all the roos i have now are very young and 'quietly' crowing or are in the house till they get new homes)

 

[newchicksnducks]

You want chickens...go ahead and get them Maybe you'll be lucky like StaatsFarm and your neighbor will come around. You seem to have a caring heart, realizing she is really a lonely woman with just her noisy dog as a companion. You might try to involve her in your project. Since you don't seem real confident in the long term keeping of your chickens, why not start with that tractor. This way the chickens can be kept to the far side of your property away from this neighbor. As she realizes how cute the chickens really are, and how little noise they make (in comparison to her dog), you can then build you henhouse in the place of your choice. You will have your chickens, she will have anxiety eliminated, all will be well in the neighborhood
I know you have the RIGHT to the chickens in any way, shape, or form. But you do have to live next to this woman, and your life will be much less stressful if you can coexist peacefully. Good luck!!

 

[AmyRey]

I think it's great that you're concerned about your neighbor. How very... well... neighborly of you!

And although I think it's ludacris for her to expect that you not get chickens because HER dog will be even louder, I think your idea to do a "trial run" with the chickens is an excellent one.

 

[Skamaghetten]

I have a neighbor who has three dogs that bark ALL day. Me adding chickens to the yard, didn't change anything. Doesn't seem like it would do anything different for you.

I say go for it. There are some people out there that aren't even allowed to have the chickens, take the opportunity.

 

[19hhbelgian]

So... I was wondering what the OP's thoughts are after hearing all of our opinions for 3 days!

I still say get yuor girls and be happy, especially if she is the type of person that can't be placated. Just because she's unhappy doesn't mean yours has to be the same way, just because you're trying to make her happy!